Max Verstappen Raises Concerns Over Demanding Formula 1 Calendar

Considering the stress it puts on the team and the drivers, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen believes that the Las Vegas-Abu Dhabi doubleheader is a bit too much “when you’re talking about sustainability,” and also “for the human body.”

It’s been just five days since the conclusion of the inaugural Las Vegas GP, and now, the drivers are back in action in Abu Dhabi for the grand finale of the 2023 Formula 1 season. While Max Verstappen had been quite candid about the ‘show’ in Vegas, he has now turned his attention to another critical issue within the sport.

As a three-time world champion, Verstappen has earned the right to voice his concerns about Formula 1’s expanding calendar. He has raised serious concerns about next year’s Formula 1 schedule, which is set to conclude with a challenging triple-header consisting of Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen’s concerns go beyond the standard racing challenges. He emphasizes the impact on both the teams and the drivers, pointing out that this schedule is pushing the limits of sustainability and takes a toll on the human body. In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where precision and physical fitness are paramount, the demanding calendar raises important questions about the well-being of those involved.

Formula 1 has long grappled with the balance between expanding its global reach and ensuring the physical and mental health of its participants. With the addition of new venues like Las Vegas and Qatar, the calendar has become increasingly congested, leaving little room for recovery and preparation between races.

Verstappen’s comments shed light on the need for Formula 1 to address these concerns seriously. As the sport continues to evolve and grow, it must find ways to maintain its competitive edge while safeguarding the well-being of its drivers and teams. Striking this balance will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Formula 1.

In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s outspoken views on the demanding schedule of Formula 1, particularly the Las Vegas-Abu Dhabi doubleheader, highlight the challenges faced by the sport in terms of sustainability and the physical strain it places on participants. As the Formula 1 calendar expands, finding a balance between global expansion and the well-being of drivers and teams becomes imperative for its continued success.

Highlighting numerous challenges that could emerge due to three demanding weekends spaced far apart across the globe, Verstappen passionately advocated for a calendar revision. In an exclusive interview with PlanetF1.com, he expressed:

“It’s a bit tough to understand what time zone you’re in. I think what does help here, of course, is that it’s all a bit later.

“You try to have a good night’s sleep and stuff, but I definitely think for the future – of course for next year, it’s not possible – but it’s a little bit odd that we are on the other side of the world, basically, before getting here and especially when you’re talking about sustainability, it’s probably not very sustainable, not only for the emissions but also for the human body.

“Of course, eventually, we always deal with it but I don’t think it’s great. So we’ll just talk to F1 about that, if there’s something that we can do for the future to make it a little bit more of a normal end to the year because it’s already a lot of races, a lot of travelling at the end [of the season] after the summer break basically.

“So I think we can do a little bit of a better job with placing the grands prix, I guess, but already for next year I think they are doing that at the start of the year so that will help already.

“I don’t mind having a triple-header when it’s the Middle East. It’s just the flight time to go here. It’s probably a bit much. Next year, we cannot change that but hopefully in the future we can have a chat and see what’s possible and best for everyone.”